Third arrest made after 14-year-old found dead in the woods
Share this @internewscast.com

Background: News footage of the scene in Pace, Fla., where Danika Troy’s body was found (WEAR). Insets (left to right): Mitchell Eddins and Danika Troy (Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office).

A new arrest has been made in the tragic case concerning a Florida teenager, whose remains were discovered burned in a forested area.

The individual arrested, Mitchell Eddins, 45, was initially the one to inform authorities about the grim discovery. However, according to law enforcement, Eddins delayed his report. An arrest document reviewed by Law&Crime revealed that police spoke with Eddins shortly after midnight on December 3, following his call about finding a body. The body was later identified as 14-year-old Danika Troy.

Authorities criticized Eddins for waiting several hours to report the finding, insisting that he should have done so immediately. Additionally, Eddins allegedly took a scooter from the scene, which is believed to have belonged to Troy, adding another charge to his case.

According to the police, Eddins discovered Troy’s charred remains on December 2, around 1 p.m., while walking along a wooded path in Pace, Florida. The arrest document specifies that Eddins stopped to relieve himself and noticed the scorched area along with a black scooter. Upon attempting to take the scooter, he allegedly noticed the deceased body.

Instead of contacting authorities right away, Eddins reportedly returned home with the scooter. The arrest report states he mentioned the discovery to several people, who all urged him to alert law enforcement. When questioned by police on his delay, Eddins reportedly said he “planned to” call them.

The police eventually found Troy’s scooter hidden in a “back room” at Eddins’ residence.

As Law&Crime previously reported, two teenagers are charged with murdering Troy. Police said that 16-year-old Gabriel Williams and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins lured Troy out to the woods, shot her multiple times, and burned her body. Troy was last seen alive on the night of Nov. 30.

According to arrest reports obtained by Law&Crime, a witness told police that Blevins and Williams planned to kill Troy after she insulted Williams on social media and blocked Blevins’ account.

Eddins was charged with failure to report a death and petit theft, both misdemeanors. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail, where he is being held on $7,500 bail. His next court date is on Dec. 16.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Riviera Beach Resident Arrested for Allegedly Stalking Shands Healthcare Professional

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a concerning development, Dylan Allen Sangricco,…

Ohio Woman Charged with Attempted Drowning and Physical Abuse of Children in Bathtub Incident

An Ohio woman has been formally charged with child abuse spanning a…

Repeat Offender Apprehended in Connection with December 5 Ridgeview Neighborhood Shooting

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have apprehended 43-year-old Jermaine Williams, charging him with…

Tragic Family Incident: Man Allegedly Kills Half-Brother, Endangers Children with Gas Leak

Inset: Zackary Brodowski (Redlands Police Department). Background: The apartment complex where Brodowski…

Tragic Discovery: Suspect Apprehended After Missing Person Found Buried

A distressing case in north Texas has shifted from a search for…

Tragic Incident: Brothers Target Homes with Gunfire from AR-15 and AK-47 After Social Media Dispute, Resulting in the Death of a Sleeping 12-Year-Old Girl

Insets from left: Antawan Benson and Javen Conner (Montgomery County Prosecutor”s Office)…

Woman Accused of Fatally Shooting Boyfriend Over Car Dispute Asserts Video Evidence Could Clear Her Name, Sheriff Says It Strengthens Case Against Her

Courtney Renee Hooper (WOAI/YouTube). A Texas woman is accused of fatally shooting…

Man Asserts Self-Defense in Case of Wife’s Fatal Stabbing and Assault, Prosecutors Report

Inset: Hector Luvianos-Barrera (Kane County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The street where Luvianos-Barrera…

Babysitter Arrested for Severe Assault: Infant Suffers Brain Bleed After Violent Attack

Inset: Emily Duran (Allen County Jail). Background: The 100 block of West…

Individual Accused of Public Nazi Salutes Faces Legal Action

A Canberra man has been charged with allegedly performing Nazi salutes in…

Elderly Woman’s Disappearance Leads to Shocking Backyard Discovery: Couple Arrested After Police Uncover Buried Body

Left: John Ryan. Middle: Investigators in Jackson, Mississippi, dig up a body…

Tragic Case: Police Hunt for Mother Allegedly Involved in Infant’s Bath Time Drowning Amid Drug Use

Inset: Briana Arnold (Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations). Background: The apartment complex…